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energy security, trade connectivity, migrant workers, students abroad and the diaspora.

Bangladesh’s past foreign policy often appeared reactive, country-specific and lacking in balance, he said.

With the global order changing fast, strategic competition intensifying, technology shaping geopolitics, and climate change redefining priorities, foreign policy must be professional, institutional, flexible, and, above all, driven by national interest, he stressed.

“A government that is fragmented, that has no security structure or any kind of architecture or system, is not respected at home or abroad and is open to exploitation,” he said.

He said national security would remain central to foreign policy, with a focus on counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and regional security dialogue.

Regarding balancing ties with China and India, Kabir said Bangladesh would not allow itself to become “a football” between the two powers, and could instead act as a neutral friend to both to ensure “fair play” between them.

Kabir also said Bangladesh would not need to “hedge” between countries in its foreign policy approach. Citing the Rohingya crisis as a top national security priority, he said the previous government had failed to negotiate effectively because it was “hedging between China and India policies”.

BIPSS President Maj Gen (retd) ANM Muniruzzaman said economic diplomacy should get top priority as Bangladesh graduates from LDC status.

Shanchita Haque, director general of international trade, investment and technology, and former ambassadors Shameem Ahmed, Kamrul Ahsan and Shahed Akhter also spoke.

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen, Singapore Chargé d’Affaires Mitchel Lee and Joharat Adib Chowdhury were also present.